Profile system

ABSTRACT

A profile system for use with structures having a tiled base includes at least one elongate profile that has a base arm, two side arms of the same length projecting from the free ends of the base arm and arranged lying opposite one another, and two terminating arms which project from the free ends of the side arms and are aligned with one another, the side arms being arranged a distance apart from one another and the distance being at least 10 mm.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Applicant claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of German Application No.20 2013 100 142.2 filed Jan. 11, 2013, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a profile system comprising an elongateprofile for use with structures having a tiled base, such as for examplea tiled wall, a tiled floor or the like.

2. Description of the Related Art

Profiles which are designed for use in structures having a tiled baseare known in the prior art in a wide variety of configurations. Theirshape is normally adapted to a specific application, such as for examplefor finishing the outer edges of tile coverings, for creating a smoothcross-over from a tiled surface to an adjacent different floor covering,for example in the form of a carpet, for the smooth connection of floorcoverings with different heights, for producing a decorative gapconfiguration, for providing a decorative strip or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Proceeding from this prior art it is an object of the present inventionto provide a profile system of the type specified at the start having anelongate profile which is designed such that it achieves a wide varietyof objectives in association with further profile system components andaccordingly can be used universally.

In order to achieve this object the present invention provides a profilesystem of the type specified at the start that comprises at least oneelongate profile that has a base arm, two side arms of the same lengthprojecting from the free ends of the base arm and arranged lyingopposite one another, and two terminating arms which project from thefree ends of the side arms and are aligned with one another, the sidearms being arranged a distance apart from one another and the distancebeing at least 10 mm. This type of profile forms the base component ofthe profile system according to the invention and can achieve a widevariety of objectives in association with further profile systemcomponents according to the invention, and this is why the profilesystem according to the invention can be used very universally.

The profile is preferably an extruded profile having a cross-sectionthat remains the same over its entire length. Extruded profiles areadvantageous in that they can be produced easily and inexpensively.

The profile is preferably produced from aluminum or stainless steel.Aluminum and stainless steel have on the one hand a very attractiveappearance. On the other hand, these materials are resistant tocorrosion, and this makes it possible to also use the profile systemaccording to the invention in wet rooms and in outside areas.

Preferably an end section respectively adjoins the terminating arms, theend sections being inclined inwards towards the base arm. End sectionsformed in this way serve first and foremost to securely connect theprofile to further profile system components, as will be described inmore detail below.

According to one configuration of the present invention the profilesystem has at least one fabric or fleece that is fastened or can befastened to the outside and/or to the inside of the base arm and inparticular is formed like a strip. This fabric or fleece serves to forman adhesive base for an adhesive in order to connect the profileadhesively to a base or to a further profile system components.

According to a further configuration of the present invention theprofile system has at least one retaining bar which can be fastened to abase and is designed for releaseably holding the profile.

The retaining bar is preferably produced from plastic, in particular asan extruded profile made in one part. It is an advantage of plastic thatit is inexpensive. Moreover, the retaining bar can be made to be atleast partly flexible, and this is particularly advantageous in order toproduce an easily manageable snap-on connection.

An adhesive strip, a fleece producing an adhesive base for an adhesiveor a fabric is preferably disposed on the back of the retaining bar inorder to fix the retaining bar to a base self-adhesively or using anadhesive.

According to one configuration of the present invention there areprojecting from the front side of the retaining bar fasteningprotrusions which are made such that in the correct state they engagebehind the terminating arms and/or behind the end sections of theprofile such as to produce a manually releaseable snap-on connection.Accordingly, the profile can easily be clipped onto the fasteningprotrusions of the retaining bar.

Advantageously, there is formed on the front side of the retaining bar acable duct which, in the correctly arranged state, is covered by theprofile. Accordingly, the retaining profile serves not only to fastenthe profile to a base, but can moreover also be used to receive cablesor the like.

Preferably, a cover element is provided for closing the cable duct, saidcover element in particular being made in one part with the retainingbar. Accordingly, cables stowed in the cable duct can not slide out ofthe cable duct when the cover element is closed.

According to a further configuration of the present invention theprofile system has at least one illuminant fastened or that can befastened in the profile and at least one elongate diffusion disc coverthat is fastened or can be fastened releaseably between the terminatingarms and/or the end sections of the profile. Accordingly, the profilesystem can be used as an illumination system.

The diffusion disc cover preferably has on its inside retainingprotrusions which are made such that, in the correctly arranged state,they engage behind the terminating arms and/or behind the end sectionsof the profile such as to produce a manually releaseable snap-onconnection. By virtue of this design the diffusion disc cover can easilybe clipped onto the profile.

The illuminant is preferably elongate in form, in particular in the formof a strip or a chain with a plurality of LEDs arranged over the latter.

According to a further configuration of the present invention theprofile system has at least one end cap for closing a face side of theprofile. This end cap is used when a face side of the profile isarranged such that it can be viewed from the side by an observer.

According to yet another configuration of the present invention theprofile system has an elongate sealing lip element that is made suchthat, in the correctly arranged state, it can be disposed in a gapbetween the profile and a tile covering adjoining the profile at theside in order to seal the gap. This type of sealing lip element isadvantageous when the profile system according to the invention is usedto form an inside corner arrangement.

The sealing lip preferably has on at least one side an adhesive stripfor securing the sealing lip. Accordingly, the sealing lip can be fittedwithout any problem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention, includingexamples of possible uses, will become clear from the followingdescription of a profile system according to one configuration of thepresent invention with reference to the attached drawings. These show asfollows:

FIG. 1 a perspective view showing individual components of a profilesystem according to one embodiment of the present invention, thecomponents being able to be combined with one another specifically fordifferent purposes;

FIG. 2 a perspective view showing individual components illustrated inFIG. 1 and which are combined with one another for a first purpose;

FIG. 3 a diagrammatic side view which shows the individual componentsillustrated in FIG. 2 in the fitted state;

FIG. 4 a perspective view which shows individual components illustratedin FIG. 1 which are combined with one another for a second purpose;

FIG. 5 a side view which shows the individual components illustrated inFIG. 4 in the fitted state;

FIG. 6 a perspective view which shows individual components illustratedin FIG. 1 which are combined with one another for a third purpose;

FIG. 7 a diagrammatic side view which shows the components illustratedin FIG. 6 in the fitted state;

FIG. 8 a perspective view which shows individual components illustratedin FIG. 1 which are combined with one another for a fourth purpose;

FIG. 9 a diagrammatic side view of the individual components illustratedin FIG. 8 in the fitted state; and

FIG. 10 a diagrammatic side view which shows the individual componentsillustrated in FIG. 8 and another of the components illustrated in FIG.1 in the fitted state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows different individual components which are or can be part ofa profile system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The profile system 1 comprises as a first component an elongate profile2 which is made in one part as an extruded profile with a cross-sectionthat remains the same over its entire length and is produced fromaluminum or stainless steel. The profile 2 comprises a base arm 3, twoside arms 4 and 5 of the same length projecting from the free ends ofthe base arm 3 and arranged lying opposite one another, two terminatingarms 6 and 7 which project from the free ends of the side arms 4, 5 andare aligned with one another, and two end sections 8 and 9 which adjoinone another at the respective terminating arms 6, 7, the end sections 8,9 being inclined inwards towards the base arm 3. The side arms 4, 5 arearranged a distance apart from one another, the distance being at least10 mm.

As a second component the profile system 1 comprises an elongatediffusion disc cover 10 which is produced in one part from transparentplastic. On its inside the diffusion disc cover 10 has elongateretaining protrusions 11 and 12 which are made such that, in thecorrectly arranged state, they engage behind the end sections 8 and 9 ofthe profile 2 such as to produce a manually releaseable snap-onconnection. Accordingly, the diffusion disc cover 10 can be easilyclipped onto the profile 2.

The profile system 1 further comprises an illuminant 13 in the form of astrip with a plurality of LEDs arranged over the latter. There isprovided on the top of the illuminant 13 an adhesive strip 14 with theaid of which the illuminant 13 can be fastened to a base. In thisinstance the adhesive strip 14 is arranged such that the light outletopenings of the illuminant 13 are arranged on the side lying oppositethe adhesive strip 14.

As a fourth component the profile system 1 comprises at least one endcap 15 which serves to close a face side of the profile 2. The end cap15 has two clamping protrusions 16 which are made and arranged such thatthey can be introduced into the profile 2 on the face side and then beheld clamped between the inside of the base arm 3 and the insides of theterminating arms 6 and 7.

As a fifth component the profile system 1 comprises strip-like fabric orfleece 17 that is provided on the back with a self-adhesive surface 18which can optionally be covered with a removeable protective strip (notdetailed here). The fabric or fleece 17 is made such that it forms anadhesive base for a pasty adhesive, such as for example for a tileadhesive or the like.

The sixth component of the profile system 1 is also formed by astrip-like fabric or fleece 19 with a self-adhesive surface 20 disposedon its back, the width of the fabric or fleece 19 being adapted to thewidth of the terminating arms 6, 7 of the profile 2.

A seventh component of the profile system 1 is formed by an elongatesealing lip element 21 which is made such that, in the correctlyarranged state, it can be disposed in a gap between the profile 2 and atile covering adjoining the profile 2 at the side in order to seal thegap. The sealing lip element 21 comprises a sealing lip 23 disposed atthe end of a crosspiece 22, there being fastened to the top side of thecrosspiece 22 an adhesive strip 24 which serves to fasten the sealinglip element 21 to a side arm 5 of the profile 2.

The final component of the profile system 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is anelongate retaining bar 25 produced from plastic from the front side ofwhich fastening protrusions 26 and 27 project which are made such that,in the correct state, they engage behind the end sections 8 and 9 of theprofile 2 such as to produce a manually releaseable snap-on connection.Accordingly, the profile 2 can easily be clipped onto the fasteningprotrusions 26 and 27 of the retaining bar 25. There is formed on thefront side of the retaining bar 25 a cable duct 28 which serves toreceive cables. The cable duct 28 comprises a flexible cover element 29made in one part with the retaining bar 25 and which can be snappedtogether behind an elongate retaining protrusion 30, also made in onepart with the retaining bar 25 in order to close the cable duct 28. Onthe back of the retaining bar 25 a strip-like fleece or fabric 31 isprovided which serves as an adhesive base for a pasty adhesive, such asfor example for a tile adhesive. Accordingly, the back of retaining bar25 can be secured to a base using an appropriate adhesive.

FIGS. 2 to 10 show different possible combinations of the individualcomponents of the profile system 1 according to the inventionillustrated in FIG. 1 and examples of use which can be realised with therespective combinations of the system components.

FIG. 2 shows a combination of the profile 2 and of the retaining bar 25of the profile system 1 illustrated in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 shows anexample of use of the combination illustrated in FIG. 2 wherein theprofile 2 is used as a decorative strip with a cable duct arrangedbehind it. In order to produce the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 3 abottom row of tiles 33 is first of all fastened to a base 32 using atile adhesive 34, an edge defining profile 35 being disposed on the edgeside in order to protect the edges of the tiles. These edge definingprofiles 35 are basically known in the prior art, and so they will notbe described in any more detail at this point. In a further step, theretaining bar 25 is fastened to the base 32 above the edge definingprofile 35 by sticking the fleece or fabric 31 disposed on the back ofthe retaining bar 25 to the base 32 using tile adhesive 34. Next, afurther row of tiles 33 is stuck above the retaining bar 25, said row oftiles also being protected on the edge by an edge defining profile 35.In a final step the profile 2 is clipped onto the retaining bar 25 suchthat the end sections 8, 9 of the profile 2 engage securely behind thefastening protrusions 26, 27 of the retaining strip 25. The outside ofthe base arm 3 of the profile 2 now serves as a decorative surfacebehind which the cable duct 28 of the retaining bar 25 is concealed.

FIG. 4 shows a combination consisting of the profile 2 and thestrip-like fabric or fleece 19. In this combination the fabric or fleece19 is stuck by its self-adhesive surface 20 to the inside of the basearm 3. Furthermore, a strip-like fleece or fabric 19 is respectivelystuck with its self-adhesive surface 20 to the outside of eachterminating arm 6, 7.

FIG. 5 shows an example of use of the combination illustrated in FIG. 4,wherein this combination is used to protect the edge or to screen theside edge of a building board covered with tiles. In order to producethe arrangement illustrated in FIG. 5, in a first step the profile 2 isfastened to a face side of a building board 36 to be covered. For thispurpose the fabric or fleece 17 disposed on the inside of the base arm 3is stuck to the face side of the building board 36 using a tile adhesive34. In a further step tiles 33 are stuck by means of tile adhesive 34onto the main surfaces of the building board 36 adjacent to theterminating arms 6, 7 of the profile 2 leaving appropriate gaps 37, thetile adhesive 34 also adhering to the fleece or fabric 19 respectivelydisposed on the terminating arms 6 and 7 of the profile 2, by means ofwhich further fixing of the profile 2 takes place.

FIG. 6 shows a further alternative combination in which both the outsideand the inside of the base arm 3 of the profile 2 are provided with astrip-like fabric or fleece 17.

FIG. 7 shows an example of use of the alternative combinationillustrated in FIG. 6 in which the profile system 1 is used as adecorative strip. In order to produce the arrangement illustrated inFIG. 7 a lower row of tiles 33 is first of all stuck onto a base 32using tile adhesive 34. Next, the profile 2 is fastened to the baseabove the row of tiles leaving a gap 37 by sticking the fabric or fleece17 disposed on the outside of the base arm 3 to the base 32 using tileadhesive. Next, a further row of tiles 33 is secured to the base 32above the profile 2 by means of tile adhesive, likewise leaving a gap37. In a final step decorative tiles 38 are stuck to the fabric orfleece 17 provided on the inside of the base arm 3 using tile adhesive34, the height of the decorative tiles 38 being chosen such that itcorresponds substantially to the height of the side arms 4, 5 of theprofile 2 so that the surface of the decorative tiles 38 endssubstantially flush with the surface of the terminating arms 6 and 7 ofthe profile 2.

FIG. 8 shows a further possible combination of the components of theprofile system 1 according to the invention illustrated in FIG. 1comprising the profile 2, the illuminant 13, the strip-like fleece orfabric 17 and the diffusion disc cover 10, the fleece or fabric 17 beingfastened to the outside of the base arm 3 of the profile 2 and theilluminant 13 being held by the adhesive strip 14 on the inside of theupper side arm 4 of the profile 2.

FIG. 9 shows a fitted arrangement of the components illustrated in FIG.8. In order to produce this arrangement, in a first step a first row oflower tiles 33 is fastened to a base 32 by means of tile adhesive 34.Next the profile 2 is secured to the base 32 by the fleece or fabric 17using tile adhesive 34 such that the lower side arm 5 of the profile 2is arranged adjacent to the tiles 33 such as to form a gap 37 andfinishes the edges of said tiles in a protective manner. In a furtherstep an upper row of tiles 33 is secured to the base 32 by means of tileadhesive 34 such as to form a gap 37 adjacent to the upper side arm 5 ofthe profile 2. Finally, the diffusion disc cover 10 is clipped into theprofile 2. By means of the arrangement produced in this way anilluminated decorative strip is provided between the rows of tiles.

The arrangement shown in FIG. 10 corresponds substantially to thearrangement according to FIG. 9, the lower row of tiles 33, however,being arranged horizontally and there being provided between the lowerrow of tiles 33 and the lower side arm 5 of the profile 2 the sealinglip element 21 illustrated in FIG. 1 that is stuck to the lower side arm5 of the profile 2 by means of the adhesive strip 24 provided on itstop. The sealing lip element 21 ensures that no moisture can penetratebetween the profile 2 and the lower row of tiles 33 arrangedhorizontally.

The profile system 1 according to the invention is characterised inparticular by its very variable applicability. It should be clear thatthe possible uses illustrated in the figures only serve as examples andare not restrictive. In fact, the components of the profile system 1according to the invention illustrated in FIG. 1 can also be combinedand used with one another in different ways.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 1 profile system 2 profile 3 base arm 4 sidearm 5 side arm 6 terminating arm 7 terminating arm 8 end section 9 endsection 10 diffusion disc cover 11 retaining protrusion 12 retainingprotrusion 13 illuminant 14 adhesive strip 15 end cap 16 clampingprotrusion 17 fabric or fleece 18 self-adhesive surface 19 fabric orfleece 20 self-adhesive surface 21 sealing lip element 22 crosspiece 23sealing lip 24 adhesive strip 25 retaining bar 26 fastening protrusion27 fastening protrusion 28 cable duct 29 cover element 30 retainingprotrusion 31 fabric or fleece 32 base 33 tile 34 tile adhesive 35 edgedefining profile 36 building board 37 gap 38 decorative tile

What is claimed is:
 1. A profile system (1) for use with structureshaving a tiled base that comprises at least one elongate profile (2)that has a base arm (3), two side arms (4, 5) of the same lengthprojecting from the free ends of the base arm (3) and arranged lyingopposite one another, and two terminating arms (6, 7) which project fromthe free ends of the side arms (4, 5) and are aligned with one another,the side arms (4, 5) being arranged a distance apart from one anotherand the distance being at least 10 mm.
 2. The profile system (1)according to claim 1, wherein the profile (2) is an extruded profilehaving a cross-section that remains the same over its entire length. 3.The profile system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the profile (2) ispreferably produced from aluminum or stainless steel.
 4. The profilesystem (1) according to claim 1, wherein an end section (8, 9)respectively adjoins the terminating arms (6, 7) of the profile (2), theend sections (8, 9) being inclined inwards towards the base arm (3). 5.The profile system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the latter has atleast one fabric or fleece (17) that is fastened or can be fastened tothe outside and/or to the inside of the base arm (3) of the profile (2).6. The profile system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the latter hasat least one retaining bar (25) which can be fastened to a base and isdesigned for releaseably holding the profile (2).
 7. The profile system(1) according to claim 6, wherein the retaining bar (25) is producedfrom plastic.
 8. The profile system (1) according to claim 6, wherein anadhesive strip or a fleece or a fabric (31) is disposed on the back ofthe retaining bar (25).
 9. The profile system (1) according to claim 6,wherein there are projecting from the front side of the retaining bar(25) fastening protrusions (26, 27) which are made such that in thecorrect state they engage behind the terminating arms (6, 7) and/orbehind the end sections (8, 9) of the profile (2) such as to produce amanually releaseable snap-on connection.
 10. The profile system (1)according to claim 6, wherein there is formed on the front side of theretaining bar (25) a cable duct (28).
 11. The profile system (1)according to claim 10, wherein a cover element (29) is provided forclosing the cable duct (28), said cover element in particular being madein one part with the retaining bar (25).
 12. The profile system (1)according to claim 1, wherein the latter has at least one illuminant(13) fastened or that can be fastened in the profile (2) and at leastone elongate diffusion disc cover (10) that is fastened or can befastened releaseably between the terminating arms (6, 7) and/or the endsections (8, 9) of the profile (2).
 13. The profile system (1) accordingto claim 12, wherein the diffusion disc cover (10) has on its insideretaining protrusions (11, 12) which are made such that, in thecorrectly arranged state, they engage behind the terminating arms (6, 7)and/or behind the end sections (8, 9) of the profile (2) such as toproduce a manually releaseable snap-on connection.
 14. The profilesystem (1) according to claim 12, wherein the illuminant (13) iselongate in form, in particular in the form of a strip or a chain with aplurality of LEDs arranged over the latter.
 15. The profile system (1)according to claim 1, wherein the latter has at least one end cap (15)for closing a face side of the profile (2).
 16. The profile system (1)according to claim 1, wherein the latter has an elongate sealing lipelement (21) that is made such that, in the correctly arranged state, itcan be disposed in a gap between the profile (2) and a tile coveringadjoining the profile (2) at the side in order to seal the gap.
 17. Theprofile system (1) according to claim 16, wherein the sealing lipelement (21) has on at least one side an adhesive strip (24) forsecuring the sealing lip element (21) to a base.